During the past month, the supervisor's accepted applications and interviewed eight potential candidates.

Kauffman stuck out in supervisor David Hart's mind.

"He was genuinely interested because he's run before," he said. "For me it was a tough decision but I think it's going to be a good one for the township."

A lifelong resident of the township, Kauffman lives on Kaufman Church Road with his wife Carol. He has served in local government before as a member of the Conemaugh Township School Board for 12 years.

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Chairman Calvin Gindlesperger said even though there were a lot of good candidates to choose from, Kauffman's experience was key.

"He just showed a concern for wanting to do things for the people," said Hart.

Kauffman said it was a difficult choice for supervisors and is proud to be chosen.

"I'm grateful they think enough of me," Kauffman said.

The 64-year-old, part-time school bus and charter bus driver said he is up to the challenge.

"I just enjoy serving the public," he said.

He is ready to jump into ongoing debates about public water and sewage in the township.

"We have to work together to try to get a compromise for everybody," he said.

Traffic from the landfill already tops his to do list as well. Kauffman said he is concerned with the speed and volume of trucks traveling township roads.

With the other two supervisors registered Republicans and the opportunity to place a third of the party in office, Kauffman said replacing a Democrat with a Democrat tells a lot.

"They want to show there's no politics in this," he said.

Kauffman will serve until the next municipal election. He already plans to run for office at that time.

In other business:

The township adopted the state's Uniform Construction Code, choosing to enforce it on in-house.

"I think it will serve the public better and we can do it a little cheaper on the permitting," Hart said.

Ron McGee, who is currently the township's zoning and codes officer, becomes the township's municipal codes official. McGee is a certified building codes official.

Electrical inspections will be done by Middle Department Inspection Agency. Hart said plumbing will also be handled in the same manner, with an agency not named yet to inspect.